“Either way, it doesn't make the knowledge any less painful, or loathe-worthy.”

Every act that has not been repealed or expired is given, it being apprehended that no statute can ever according to the English law, technically speaking, become desuete or obsolete.

lower the aim of a gun

I ain't going to have him a-coming here any more asking me to go for his dirty pots of four-ale and screws of tobacco[…]